Coin controlled computer



Dec. ll, 1962 F. s. KASPER ETAL COIN CONTROLLED COMPUTER Filed Nov. 16,A1959 MAQ-W INVENTORS F S. KASPER V. E. POR

ATTORNEY United States Patent Oitlce 3,067,936 Patented Dec. 11, 19623,067,936 'COIN CONTRGLLED COMPUTER Frank S. Kasper, Oak Lawn, andVirgle E. Porter, Blue Island, Ill., assignors to InternationalTelephone and Telegraph Corporation, New York, N Y., a corporation ofMaryland Filed Nov. 16, 1959, Ser. No. 853,079 14 Claims. (Cl. 23S- 151)This invention relates to computers and more particularly to low costcomputers.

In the past, it has been common practice to gather data at centrallylocated computers because such computers have been very costly items.Moreover, it has been necessary constantly to strive for computers whichcan process data at a higher rate of speed because faster computers canserve a greater data collecting area, thereby producing a lower cost perunit of data processed. There is a hitherto unfulfilled need forcomputers having opposite characteristics, i.e. where data cannot begathered, the computer must be taken to the source of data. Under theseconditions, a computer must be fairly small, uncomplicated, inexpensive,and require very little maintenance. Moreover, since such computersserve only a limited area, the quantity of data is restricted, and somecomputer speed may be sacrificed to gain other desirable features.

For an example of a system which requires low cost computers, of thetype described, consider the problems relating to the payment of faresat a turnstile. To illustrate, it has been necessary to provide a changebooth at substantially all subway stops so that passengers may secureturnstile operating tokens when the fare is an amount other than anickel, dime or quarter. It is desirable to provide a computer forcontrolling every turnstile so that a passenger may depositmiscellaneous coins having a total dollar Value which equals or exceedsthe charge for one or more fares; whereupon, the turnstile unlocks. Thecomputer determines the total dollar amount of all coins that aredeposited, deducts the amount of one fare each time that a turnstilerotates, and re-locks the turnstile after a correct number of passengershave entered.

The foregoing example of a coin controlled turnstile at a subway stop iscited by way of example only. There are many other coin controlledsystems which may utilize computers, such as an automatic grocery storewherey a customer deposits a hand-full of coins and removes packaged orcanned goods until the total dollar value of all deposited coins isexhausted. An example of a use for the subject computer in connectionwith other than a coincontrolled system may be found in an inventorycontrol system where goods are automatically ordered responsive to datarelative to lead time and depletion of' supplies. Therefore, it shouldbe fully understood that all references herein to a subway system arecited for illustration only.

An object of the invention is to provide new and improved computers.

' Another object of the invention is to provide extremely low cost'computers which may be taken to a source of data.

' Still another object of the invention is to provide a computer forcontrolling a turnstile.

" -In accordance withV this invention, a computer is providedfor`registering dollar amounts in discrete increments, such as five centunits, for example. As coins or tokens descend a'chute or hopper, themonetary value of the coin! or token is determined and read into thecomputer. Thevalue of a coin may be a directly recordable unit such asl0, 20, etc. or the value may not bcva directly recordable unit such asl5, 25, 35, etc.

If the coin value is a directly recordable unit a corresponding stage ofa binary counter is operated, i.e. a nickel triggers a 5 counter stage,a dime triggers a l0 counter stage, etc. If the value of a coin or tokenis not a directly recordable unit, a signal is applied simultaneously toone stage of a binary counter and a delay circuit. After the countercomes to rest, the delay circuit releases a signal and another stage ofthe binary counter is triggered, e.g. a 15 token produces a signal whichtrips iirst a 5 stage in the counter and, after a period of time, a l0stage. Each time that a turnstile rotates, the monetary value of onefare is subtracted from the binary counter by an addition process, i.e.a complementary number is added to drive the counter over capacity;whereupon, the counter comes to rest at a stage which is the previouslyrecorded monetary value less the change for one fare.

The term complementary number is used herein to dene that amount whichmust be added to a stored amount to cause a subtraction of apredetermined value from the stored amount. The actual or real values ofa complementary number, of a registers capacity, and of the subtractedvalue are not material.

The above mentioned and other objects of this invention together withthe manner of obtaining them Will become more apparent and the inventionitself will be best understood by making reference to the followingdescription of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the logic symbols which are used elsewhere in thedrawing; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a computer for controlling turnstiles.

Referring first to FIG. l, an AND circuit (which conducts only when allinput terminals thereof are energized simultaneously) is shown by asemi-circle having input conductors marked by arrowheads touching thechord thereof.

An OR circuit (which conducts if any of the input terminals is marked)is shown by a semi-circle having input conductors shown as line whichintersect the semicircle.

A dip-flop or memory device is shown as a rectangle having a centralbisecting line which is designated RE- SET. Normally, a ilip-ilop is ina rst stable state of non-conductivity until a signal is applied to aninput .terminal at which time the ip-ilop turns on to provide a signalon the output conductor, thereby remembering the input signal. When asecond signal is applied to the input conductor, the flip-tiop is turnedoff, thereby forgetting the first signal and remembering the secondsignal. If the RESET terminal is pulsed, the flip-flop returns to itsnormal -or off condition.

A delay network is shown by a block including the letter D. The letter Dalone indicates that an input pulse is delayed by one unit of time; thedesignation ZD indicates that an input pulse is delayed by two units oftime.

Brie]c Description Referring to FIG. 2, the monetary value of coins ortokens deposited in chute 20 is determined by the diameter thereof.Multiple stage binary counter 50-54 has a plurality lof flip-flopelements each individually corresponding to a specific monetary value,i.e. 5, l0, 20, 40, and lf the diameter of a coin or token indicates adirectly recordable monetary unit, a corresponding stage of the binarycounter 5054 is triggered, i.e. a nickel closes contacts 25 to produce apulse which triggers 5 flip-flop 50. If the diameter of a coin or tokenindicates a non-directly recordable monetary unit, a pulse triggers afirst stage and a delay line is energized, thereafter the delay linereleases the pulse and a second stage is triggered, i.e. a l5 tokencloses contacts 24 toyproduce a pulse which triggers 5 iiip-flop 50,energizes delay circuit 32 and thereafter triggers 10 flip-flop 51.After each coin, binary counter 50-54 advances to record the totaldollar amount of deposited coins.

Common bus 90 is slideably positioned to engage all associated contactsrepresenting values which are equal to or in excess of the charge for asingle fare. Therefore, when binary counter 50-54 records a propermonetary value, a signal is transmitted through bus 30 and point 97 tounlock turnstile latch 91.

Each time that turnstile 7 rotates, contacts 6 close to transmit a pulsethrough delay line 2-5. The strapping on and positioning of switches10-13 cause binary counter Sti-54 to be advanced by an amount which iscomplementary to the monetary value of a single fare. As was pointed outabove, the absolute value of the complementary number is not material.In the circuit shown in the drawing the complementary number is thebinary complement of a single fare plus one. Since counter 513-54 has alimited capacity, the addition of the complementary number drives thecounter over capacity, thereby leaving the counter in a position whichamounts to a subtraction of one fare. After subtraction of a sufhcientnumber of fares, the amount stored in the binary counter is less thanthe charge for a single fare and the turnstile locks.

Detailed Description Referring next to FIG. 2 in greater detail, meansfor receiving and for detecting the monetary value of any coins ortokens which may be deposited. More specifically, coin chute or hopper2o is provided with a plurality of contacts 21-26 which are positionedto be operated selectively in accordance with the diameter of adeposited coin or token. That is, the smallest coin (a dirne) operatescontacts 26, thereby transmitting a pulse which indicates d. On theother hand, the largest coin (a half-dollar) closes contacts 21, therebytransmitting a pulse which indicates 50. Tokens close contacts 22 and 24to register 35dl and 15d respectively.

The order in which coins descend chute or hopper 29' is not materialexcept that any well known means may ybe provided for preventing aclosure of more than one contact responsive to a single coin. That is,contacts 21 are positioned to be closed only'by halt-dollars. Contacts2226 will not be encountered by half-dollars. In asimilar mannercontacts 23 are positioned to be closed only by quarters. Contacts 21,22 and Z4-26 will not be encountered by quarters. Other coins or tokenscause only one setof contacts to function in a similar manner. Othermeans' (not shown) isprovided to control the descent ofthe coins. Forexample, a trap-door in chute may catch all coins and allow them todescend one at a time; therefore, the greatest amount that can beregistered lat any one time is 50c-in the example set forth in thedrawing. On the other hand, the trap-door may be controlled by thecounter or register so that coins descend chute 2t) until the counterapproaches or reaches capacity; Thereafter, all remaining coins are helduntil the counter is suiciently emptied at which time Iadditional coinsare released. -In still other cases, coins may be directed to la coinreturn chute if deposited prematurely.

For the purposes'of this description, -it is ass-umed that one coin ortoken of each denomination is deposited in order of monetary valueextending from 5 to 50d. Furthermore, it is assumed that all coins maydescend chute 20 and that'the control trap-door (not shown) does notclose until maximum storagecapacity is reached.

Means is provided for directly recording the monetary values of certaincoins. That is, if a nickel is deposited first, contacts 25 close and adrive pulse is transmitted via a S terminal and OR gate 40 to turn-onhip-flop 50. Responsive thereto, conductor 61 is marked; however, diode46 is poled to prevent energization of either capacit'or 45 or OR gate41. If a dime is deposited next, contacts. 26 close and a drive pulse istransmitted via a 10 terminal and OR gate 41 to lturn-on 10tl dip-flop51. Responsive thereto, conductor 62 is marked; however, OR gate 42 isnot energized Since an associated diode blocks current flow fromconductor 62. If 20% 40g/f or 80 tokens were provided, the monetaryvalues thereof could be directly recorded by turning on iiip-tlops52;-54.

On the other hand, when a deposited coin or token has a monetary valuewhich is not a directly recordable unit, its value is broken down intorecordable units. More specifically, let it be assumed that the counteris standing with 1.5 recorded by the on condition of flip-flops 50 and51, as explained above, when a 15d token is deposited. Contacts 24 areclosed during passage of the l5l token through chute 20, thereby pulsingan associated 15d terminal. Responsive thereto, a drive pulse is appliedthrough OR gate 30 simultaneously to delay network 32 and to OR gate4l). The signal at OR gate 40 turns off flip-flop Sil, thereby producinga positive going wave front which is conducted by diode 46, capacitor45, and OR gate 41 to trigger hiphop 51 to an off condition. Whenflip-flop 51 turns off, OR gate 42 conducts to turn-on ilip-fop 52.Thereafter, the 15d' drive pulse is released by delay network 32;whereupon, OR gate 41 conducts to turn-on 10 ip-op 51. So far a nickel,a dime, and a 15dI token have been deposited and 30d is registered bythe on condition of 10dI and 201i: iiip-ilops S1 and 52.

Each ensuing coin or token is registered in a similar manner. That is aquarter closes contacts 23 to pulse 5 flip-flop 5t) which turns-on andafter a delay measured by the characteristics of circuit 33 to pulse 20ip-iiop 52 which turns-off to trigger 40 Hip-flop 53 to an on condition55 is now registered by the on condition of 5, 10d and 40 hip-flops 50,S1 and 53 respectively.

A 35 token closes contactsv 22 to apply a pulse through OR gate 30 andsimultaneously therewith to two unit delay circuit 31. The output pulsefrom OR gate 30 is applied simultaneously to OR gate 4G and one unitdelay cirouit 32. Assuming that 5d', 10d' and 40d flip-hops 50, 51 and53 are on as explained above, the pulse applied at OR gate 40 turns-oft5 ip-iop 50 which produces a pulse at OR gate 41 to turn-olf 10dflip-flop 51, and in turn, apulse at OR gate 42 to turn-on 20 flip-flop52. After one delay unit of timev network 32 releases a pulse to turn-onl0 flip-liep 51. After two delay units of time network 31 releases apulse to turnoll 20c ilip-flop'SZ, and in turn, to turn-olf 40e ip-op53y and turn-on 80d ip-op S4. Ninety cents are now registered by the oncondition of 10e and 80 flip-Hops 51 and 54.

A half-dollar closes contacts 21 to pulse OR gate 41 and delay circuit34 simultaneously. Responsive thereto, 10 dip-flop 51 turns-ott", pulsesOR gate 42 and turns-on 20 flip-flop 52. After a delay, circuit 34releases a pulse to turn-on 40e flip-flop 53. A total of'$l.40 is nowregistered by the on condition of 20, 40 and d ip-ops 52-54. Thus, thetotal monetary value of all coins, and tokens which were assumed aboveto have been deposited is registered in binary counter 50-54.

If other coins had beendeposited, another value may have'been registeredin 5`increments up to $1.55 which is the computers capacity (i.e.when-all flip-flops 50-54 are in an on condition). In the embodimentshown in the drawing, itis assumed that a trap-door (not shown) closesto prevent coin passage whenever an amount equal to or greater than$1.10 is registered because the coin having the greatest value (50) thatis accepted by chute 20 can not be registered thereafter withoutlexceeding the total storage capacity of the computer.

Means is provided for detecting the storage of a monetary amount whichis equal to or in excess of the charge for a single fare. `In FIG. 2,the detecting means is a common bus or bar which may be slid to aposition where certain of the monetary value indicating contacts such as92-94 are not engaged and other of the contacts such as 95 and 96 areengagedthe value of a single fare being indicated by the position of busor bar 90. As shown in FIG. 2, a single fare is 20. In actual practice,it may be more convenient to provide a plurality of fare indicatingprinted circuit cards having any suitable combination of gate circuitsand adapted to plug-in at points 66 and 97, each card indicating adifferent monetary value. For example, a card indicating a 20 fare mayomit the 5, 10 and 15- contacts 92-94 and associated diodes and gatecircuits. Moreover, the use of individual printed circuit cards providegreater ilexibility so that still more of the components that are shownin FIG. 1 below contacts 66 may be omitted.

In greater detail, conductors 61-65 are selectively marked by one ormore conductive flip-Hops 50-54 in accordance with the monetary valueIof deposited coins, as explained above. The markings extended overconductors 61-65 are selectively applied through AND gates 70-76 andthrough diodes such as 77, 78, etc. to contacts which individuallyindicate monetary values. With common bus or bar 90 in the positionshown in the drawing, a marking is extended from conductors 6165 throughassociated AND gates and diodes to bus 90 and turnstile latch 91 if anamount equal to or greater than 20 is indicated by the condition ofregisters or counters 50-54. Turnstile latch 91 is now unlocked andpassengers may enter. To illustrate, if 20 is deposited the path toturnstile latch 91 extends from the output of 20 llip-op 52 overconductor 63, diode 77, contact 95, bus 90 and point 97 to latch 91. Asimilar circuit may be traced for all values in excess of 20.

Means is provided for subtracting the monetary value of one fare fromthe total value stored in register or counter 50-54 each time thatturnstile 7 rotates to close contacts 6. The charge for a single fare isdetermined by the position of switches -14 which may or may not beganged with common bus 90. The wiring in banks associated with switches10-13 is such that a pulse which is produced at contacts 6 causes anaddition in computer Sti-54 of a complementary number (as that term isdened above), thereby driving the computer over capacity by an amountwhich causes a subtraction of one fare from the total stored value. Theexact value of complementary number is determined by the specic circuitswhich are used. In the circuit shown in FIG. 2, the complementary numberis the total storage capacity less one fare plus one minimum chargeableunit, i.e. with switches 10-14 in the position shown, the complementaryvalue equals total storage 1.55 less the value of a single fare (20e)plus one chargeable unit (5f/) or $1.40. Another way of explaining thecomplementary number is the binary cornplement of a fare plus one unit.

In greater detail, assume that $1.40 is registered in counter 50-54 bythe on condition of 20, 40, and 80 flip-ops 52-54, as explained above.Turnstile 7 rotates and momentarily closes contacts 6, thereby applyinga deduct signal pulse to delay circuits 2-5. With switches 10-14 in theposition shown, contacts at 10 and 11 are unmarked and the pulseemanating from contacts 6 has no effect thereat. When delay network 3releases the deduct pulse, a signal is transmitted through switch 12 andOR gate 42 to turn-off 20 Hip-flop 52. When ipilop 52 turns-oit, a pulseis extended through OR gate 43 to turn-ott tlip-ilop S3 and in turn toturn-on? ipflop 54. When delay network 4 releases the deduct pulse, asignal is transmitted through OR gate 43 to turn-on 40 flip-iiop 53.When the deduct pulse is released by delay network 5, OR gate 44conducts to turn-on 80 Hip-flop 54. Hence, it is seen that beforeturnstile 7 rotated, $1.40 was stored in register or counter 50-54;responsive to operation of contacts 6 by turnstile 7, a pulse adding acomplementary number ($1.40) triggered 20p, 40d and 80 ip-ops 52-54; andthereafter $1.20 is stored in counter 50-54 since 40 and 80 ip-ops 53 6and 54 are on. Therefore, one fare (20) has been subtracted from thetotal storage.

In a similar manner, each rotation of turnstile 7 adds $1.40 to thevalue stored in counter 50-54, thereby sub tracting 2.0 from thepreviously stored amount. When the total Value registered in counter50-54 falls to a value which is less than one fare, a marking is removedfrom common bus whereupon, latch 91 relocks turnstile 7.

At some appropriate time, as when latch 91 locks, a suitable signalopens a trap-door (not shown) thereby allowing passage of coins throughchute 20 and initiating a new registration, as explained above.

While the principles of the invention have been described above inconnection with specic apparatus, it is to be clearly understood thatthis description is made only by way of example and not as a limitationon the scope of theI invention.

We claim:

1. A computer comprising register means, electrical contact means fordetecting the monetary value of deposited coins, means for directlyrecording in said register the monetary value of certain of said coins,means for breaking-down the monetary value of other of said coins intodirectly recordable units, means for directly recording in said registera rs't portion of said broken-down value, and means effective after adelay period for recording in said register another portion of saidbroken-down value.

2. The compiuter of claim 1 and means for detecting storage in saidregister of a monetary amount which is equal to o1' in excess of apredetermined charge.

3. The computer of claim 2 and normally locked latch ing means, meansresponsive to said detection of an amount stored in said register whichat least equals said predetermined charge for unlocking said latchingmeans and means responsive to said detection of an amount stored in saidregister which is greater than said predetermined charge for unlockingsaid latching means.

4. The computer of claim 3 and means comprising a turnstile controlledby said latching means, and means responsive to each operation of saidturnstile for subtracting said predetermined charge from said amountstored in said register.

5. The computer of claim 4 wherein said register has limited storagecapacity, and said means for subtracting comprises means for adding acomplementary number to said amount stored in said register, therebydriving said register over capacity by an amount which causes asubtraction of said predetermined charge from said amount stored in saidregister.

6. The computer of claim 4 and means responsive to said means fordetecting said stored amount for relocking said latching means when saidamount stored in said register falls below said predetermined charge.

7. A computer comprising a multi-stage binary counter, each of saidstages individually corresponding to a bit of data, a plurality of inputterminals, each of said input terminals individually corresponding to abit of data, means for connecting certain of said terminals toindividually associated stages in said binary counter for directlyrecording certain bits of said data, means for delaying signals appliedto others of said terminals, means for connecting said other terminalsto said delay means and to said individually associated stages in saidbinary counter, means for connecting said delay means to otherindividually associated stages in said binary counter, latch means,means responsive to an advance of said counter beyond a particular oneof said stages for unlocking said latch means, and means responsive tooperating said latch means for returning said counter from the stage towhich it had advanced to a preceding one of said stages.

8. The ycomputer of claim 7 and means responsive to operating said latchmeans for driving said counter over capacity by an amount sufficient toreturn said counter from the stage to which it had advanced to apreceding one of said stages.

9. The computer of claim 8 and means responsive to said return of saidcounter to a stage preceding said particular one of said stages forrelocking said latch means.

1i). A coin controlled system comprising means for receiving depositedcoins; electrical contact means effective during movement of said coinsthrough said last named means for detecting the monetary value of saidcoins; register means comprising a plurality of flip-hop circuits, eachof said ilip-op circuits having input and output terminals; means forconnecting successive ones of said output terminals to successive onesof said input terminals to provide successive stages of a countingchain; means responsive to said detecting means for immediatelytriggering certain of said iiip-ilop circuits in accordance with themonetary value of certain said deposited coins; and means responsive tosaid detecting means for immediately triggering certain of said flip-opcircuits, for producing a delay, and for thereafter triggering other ofsaid flipiiop circuits in accordance with the monetary value of other ofsaid deposited coins.

11. The coin controlled system of claim 10 and means connected to saidoutput terminals for determining the stage to which said counting chainis advanced responsive to the total monetary value of all depositedcoins, and means responsive to said last named means for unlocking saidcoin controlled system when said counting chain has advanced beyond aIcertain one of said stages.

121. The coin controlled system of claim 11 and means responsive to eachoperation of said coin -controlled system for returning said countingchain from said advanced stage to a preceding one of said stages, andmeans for relooking said system when said counting chain has returned tosaid certain one of said stages.

13. The coin controlled system of claim 10 and means comprising a delayline having a plurality of terminals, means for selective coupling ofsaid delay line terminals to said input terminals, said selectivecoupling lbeing arranged to add a value in said counting chain which iscomplementary to the charge for operating said coin controlled system,means responsive to operation of said coin controlled system fortransmitting a pulse through said `delay line, thereby adding saidcomplementary value for returning said counting chain from an advancedstage to a preceding stage.

14. The coin controlled system of claim 13 wherein said selectivecoupling means comprises a multiposition switch having a plurality ofbanks of contacts, means whereby each of said banks is selectively Wiredto control the application of said pulse from said delay line toparticular ones of said input terminals in accordance with the positionto which said switch means is operated.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,881,975 Bower Apr. 14, 1959 OTHER REFERENCES Richards: ArithmeticalOperations in Digital Computer, D. Van Nostrand and Co., Princeton, NJ.,page 101, FIGS. 4-'13 (March 17, 1955).

